America's Special Forces: Weapons, Missions, Training (Motorbooks Power) (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-Bohrer offers a timely look at these elite troops. The first five chapters provide an in-depth look at each of the military services' special operations, including a short history of the unit, qualifications to begin the rigorous training program, the actual training program, how the units are organized, the equipment and weapons used, and potential missions. The final chapter offers a short essay on their future. Although each service is examined in detail, almost half the book is dedicated to the Army's Green Berets and Rangers, who make up the majority of the special-operations forces. The book is lavishly illustrated with color photographs that enhance the well-written, easy-to-understand text. This book will have appeal to teens because of the on-going war against terrorism. It should be noted, however, that it was written prior to the war in Afghanistan. Hence, there is no information on current operations.
Robert Burnham, R. E. Lee High School, Springfield,
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description

American Special Forces examines the trainin g, missions and weapons used by the modern SEALs, Green Bere ts, Rangers and the Delta Force. The book includes numerous colour and black and white illustrations. '

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Motorbooks International; illustrated edition edition (April 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760303665
• ISBN-13: 978-0760303665
• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 9.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,707,208 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most overall informative Spec Op book, November 1, 1998

By A Customer

If you are among the many interested in the Military, specifically Special Operations, then you will definately love this book. This is one of the newest books on Special Operations (1998). It covers, in detail, the roles/missions of the Navy Seals, Army Rangers, Army Green Berets, Air Force PJ's and CCTs and Special Ops aircraft, and last but not least, Marine Force Recon. The book has the BEST pictures. If you looking to make Special Operations a future career plan, then this book will help. Furturemore, I was surprised that such a book even gave information on Air Force CCT's and PJ's, because they are not as known as SEAL's, and I haven't seen that many books that covered them. This proves how much research went into making this book.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Special Ops book worth having...., July 6, 2000

By A Customer

Anyone who has perused the Military History/Weaponry section of the local bookstore is aware that Bohrer's photography is a cut above the rest(i.e. Hans Halberstadt). It is one thing to provide a reader with accurate information about military training or weaponry. Bohrer takes it to a new level by placing the reader on the shores of Coronado with aspiring SEALs or hovering above the ocean with the Air Force's Pave Low III helicopter.

Bohrer's dedication to providing a realistic picture of each of the special force's training regimens is evidenced by his artistic ability to convey the tension felt by trainees endeavoring to achieve elite status. Although at first glance it would appear that this book is geared to those with a military background or military interests, the quality photography will capture the eye of anyone who can appreciate the extraordinary talent of a great photographer.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good, except one thing, July 16, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: America's Special Forces: Weapons, Missions, Training (Paperback)

I agree that is an informative book, and I also agree that it has the best photographs of any book on this subject. However, the photos are where I was a bit disappointed. I received the book in the mail and as soon as I saw the cover my heart sank. Having been in the military, the first thing that I noticed was the blank adapters on the weapons of the troops. Now, maybe I was deluding myself, but I was not prepaired for that. After going through the book, it seemed that all of the photos were of various stages of training in the special ops schools. Eventually, this bothered me less because, thinking realistically, how would they get photos of actuall missions and if they did, we would definitely never see them.

Overall, I recommend this book. The content is decent and the picutres are brilliant, I just had to prepare readers as picky as I am.